look pretty closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look pretty closely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone should examine or observe something with careful attention or scrutiny. Example: "If you look pretty closely at the painting, you'll notice the intricate details that are often overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The company's server operations have Amazon's operating margin and, if you look pretty closely at the amount of profit the company is able to spit out, it's pretty close to AWS — which is now on track to be a business that generates more than $10 billion a year.

TechCrunch

"Well, you did look pretty closely at his data," Alexander said.

The New Yorker

If you look pretty closely at the final drive against the Jets, you will see a few glaring and unflattering examples of that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

David Wessel's book "In Fed We Trust" looks pretty closely at Bernanke — there's some good material in there.

The New Yorker

"As it relates to Key, that's obviously one that we'll look at pretty closely," he told CNET.

TechCrunch

"What people are looking at pretty closely today is the foreign exchange market, with the dollar having hit levels below 89 yen".

The New York Times

"They look at these speeches pretty closely," he said.

The New Yorker

"It looks like you're pretty closely involved in the management, doesn't it, Mr Obeid".

The Guardian

"I think that's important for the integrity of our competition because it signals, not only to that player but to the fans, that that incident was pretty closely looked at and the guy is lucky not to have been cited.

The New York Times - Sports

Likewise, the look of most mainstream clubs adheres pretty closely to a brick-wall, ceiling-fan, tiny-stage aesthetic.

The New York Times

If you look at Fiserv data going back many years, you find values in Lincoln Park track the rest of Chicago pretty closely with a one-year lag.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "look pretty closely" with specific actions or outcomes. For example, "Look pretty closely at the data to identify any anomalies."

Common error

Avoid using "look pretty closely" when a quick glance is sufficient. This phrase implies a deeper level of examination than a casual look.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look pretty closely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner in which an action (such as examining or observing) should be performed. It suggests a need for careful and detailed attention.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look pretty closely" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the need for detailed examination or observation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, its usage is prevalent in news and media contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "examine attentively" or "scrutinize carefully". Remember to use this phrase when you truly want to highlight the importance of careful scrutiny.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine attentively

Focuses on giving careful attention to the act of examining.

scrutinize carefully

Emphasizes a more critical and detailed examination.

observe meticulously

Highlights the precision and thoroughness of the observation.

investigate thoroughly

Suggests a more in-depth and formal inquiry.

study in detail

Focuses on a detailed analysis and learning process.

check meticulously

Implies ensuring accuracy through careful review.

analyze comprehensively

Highlights the thoroughness of the analysis.

take a closer look

Offers a more informal way to express careful observation.

consider intently

Focuses on the depth of thought and consideration.

peruse attentively

Suggests a careful and focused reading or examination.

FAQs

What does "look pretty closely" mean?

The phrase "look pretty closely" means to examine something with great attention to detail or to observe something meticulously.

How can I use "look pretty closely" in a sentence?

You can use "look pretty closely" when you want to emphasize the need for careful examination. For example, "If you "examine attentively", you'll find the error".

What are some alternatives to "look pretty closely"?

Some alternatives to "look pretty closely" include "scrutinize carefully", "observe meticulously", or "investigate thoroughly".

Is "look pretty closely" formal or informal?

The phrase "look pretty closely" leans towards the neutral side but might be better suited for informal or general contexts. More formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "examine attentively" or "analyze comprehensively".